Use your Nursing skills to support the collection of biological specimens in both clinical and roadside traffic enforcement settings. This role supports law enforcement and judicial outcomes and requires availability to respond at short notice, including after hours.

• Casual Biospecimen Nursing role 
• Providing service to the Melbourne and Greater Melbourne area
• Be rewarded from the positive difference that our service makes to victims of crime and the justice system.

About Us

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) provides world-leading independent forensic medical and scientific expertise to the justice system, tissue for transplantation, and conducts teaching and research in forensic medicine and science.

We provide the justice system with the crucial evidence that underpins safe convictions and appropriate acquittals. Our doctors and scientists investigate deaths reported to the coroner, examine alleged offenders and medically assess and support victims of crime.

The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria supports patients and their families by providing safe tissues to medical specialists and Victorian hospitals for transplantation and medical research, benefitting many patients every year.

Our medical and scientific staff members undertake research that benefits public health and safety, and the functioning of our legal system.

The Institute is based in Southbank in Melbourne's CBD, just a short 10-minute walk from Flinders Street railway station. We offer fulfilling careers and have a diverse range of roles – including forensic pathology, clinical forensic medicine, forensic scientists, nursing, medico-legal case work, technicians, and corporate support services.

About the Role:

An exciting opportunity exists to join the Clinical Forensic Medicine team at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM). This position sits within the Forensic Services Division which includes the departments of Forensic Pathology and Clinical Forensic Medicine. Clinical Forensic Medicine (CFM) includes, but is not limited to, victims of crime and those in police custody and prisons.

As a Forensic Nurse (Biological Specimens), you will be engaged on an as-needed basis to collect forensic biological specimens in accordance with legislative, clinical and evidentiary standards. This includes roadside and custodial traffic-related specimen collection (e.g. drink and drug driving matters), as well as collections in clinical or controlled environments.

The Forensic Nurse (Biological Specimens) provides an informed, impartial and competent forensic service to the Victoria Police, the Courts and Office of Public Prosecutions, including the collection of biological specimens, preparing reports and statements.

Working autonomously within the community in the provision of the Institute's service, the Forensic Nurse (Biological Specimens) is supported by senior clinical staff.

Key Responsibilities

Participate in the provision of after-hours and occasionally during business hours (if available) forensic specimen collection services for Victoria Police including (but not necessarily limited to) the:

• Collection of blood and/or urine under the Road Safety Act 1986 (Section 56)
• Collection of biological and/or forensic specimens in accordance with relevant legislation and VIFM policy and procedure.
• Preparation of statements for forensic sampling cases and, if requested, for biological sampling cases.
• Attendance in court, as required.

About you

You are a Registered Nurse with demonstrated experience in forensic or high-acuity environments and are confident working autonomously in unpredictable settings, including roadside locations. You exercise sound clinical judgement, professionalism and discretion at all times.

Key Qualifications and Attributes

Essential

• Current Victorian Driver licence.
• Current Registration as a Division 1 Registered Nurse by AHPRA.
• Current Police and Working with Children Checks (or ability to obtain).
• Proven post-graduate nursing experience with a sound knowledge base and experience in contemporary nursing practice.
• Capability to perform competent biological specimens.
• Participate in an after-hours casual on call roster

Desirable

• Understanding of privacy, confidentiality and security in the medico-legal context.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and the ability to articulate nursing concepts in lay terms for the purpose of medical reports.
• High personal standards in relation to honesty, objectivity, patient focus, and continuous quality improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and present objective, impartial statements.
• Ability to work autonomously across a wide range of locations and participate on the after-hours roster.

What we offer

Working at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) will give you rewarding experiences and the opportunity to do extraordinary work.

Working at VIFM is more than just a job; it's personal.  We are dedicated to making a difference and believe in the strength of our diverse team and vibrant culture.  Our commitment extends to our people and community, operating responsibly and ethically.

Join us to lead, inspire, and shape the future of forensic medicine in a culture that values creativity, embraces new ideas, and fosters inclusivity and collaboration.

Our Recruitment Process

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include reference checks, national police checks and misconduct screening. Dependent on the role, other checks may include VicRoads checks, drivers license checks, medical checks, Working with Children Checks, and Declaration of Private Interests (for executive and responsible officer roles).

If you feel comfortable, please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or require an alternative format to any of the application material upon application, so we can make any adjustments required to support you throughout our recruitment process.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.